Agent Orange

Toxic chemical defoliant [that strips trees and plants of their leaves] used by American military in Vietnam to deprive the enemy of food and of hiding places in the jungles, by killing all vegetation.

Nicknamed “Agent Orange” because of the identifying orange stripe on its steel drum containers. It was sprayed over large areas by aircraft and over smaller areas by hand. It was supposed to have been diluted 20:1, but it was used full strength. Many Vietnam Veterans suffer from health problems caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

Source: New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation Vietnam Glossary 

The dioxin TCDD occurs as a contaminant in the manufacturing process of the herbicide trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), a component of Agent Orange.

Further information:

• Dioxin Body burden of US Air Force staff exposed to the Agent Orange in Vietnam (toolbox of GreenFacts Dioxins study)
• Effects observed in US Air Force staff exposed to the Agent Orange in Vietnam (question 4.3 of the GreenFacts Dioxins study)

Dioxin(s) - TCDD

Dioxins